Open Dental’s latest version 25.2 has been released as stable! Read on to learn more about some of the version highlights, including a few highly requested features from users like you!

Major Features include:

• Mass Email Integration
• BetterDiagnostics Integration
• CareCredit Self-Service Payments
• eClipboard Web

Mass Email Integration

Mass Email is available via Mailchimp. This feature allows you to upload patient lists from Open Dental directly to Mailchimp. You can then compose and send emails from Mailchimp’s interface. Commlogs are automatically generated and added to patient accounts once an email is sent.

Learn more on our website. Mass Email is available as a stand-alone eService for a monthly fee. Additional per-message or subscription fees may apply and are billed by Mailchimp. Sign up for Mass Email in the eServices Signup Portal.

BetterDiagnostics Integration

BetterDiagnostics is now integrated right into the Open Dental Imaging Module. This tool adds annotations to radiographs to help providers easily identify common dental pathologies for patients 18 and above. Learn more on our website. This integration is available in versions 25.1.44 and 25.2.19 and greater. Learn more in our recent blog post.

eClipboard Web

eClipboard is now available in a web-based version that patients can access from their own device. eClipboard Web functions much like the updated eClipboard 25 app. The major difference is that eClipboard Web does not require a patient to check in for an appointment, making it easy for your patients to fill out forms or complete other tasks on their own time and from their own computer or mobile device.

Include a link to eClipboard Web on your own website or send customized links to patients. Blank forms can be filled out or they can be pre-filled so patients just need to update or verify information.

eClipboard Web is compatible with Sheets or the newly released eForms feature. eForms are optimized for tablet and mobile devices. eForms allow for a more intuitive patient experience by using dynamic fields, so patients only see what they need to fill out.

eClipboard Web is included with an eClipboard subscription, included in the eServices bundle or as a standalone service. Learn more on our website and sign up in the eServices Signup Portal.

Insurance Pending Supplementals Report

The new Insurance Pending Supplementals Report helps track all of the outstanding pending supplemental payments that have been added to claims. This is helpful to find insurance refunds that still need to be issued or supplemental payments that need to be followed up on.

Attach EOBs to Preauthorizations

You can now attach an EOB to a preauthorization (like you can with claims), making it easier to reference back to.

When receiving a preauth, there is now a new window that opens after clicking By Procedure. The Enter Estimates for PreAuth window is where you’ll enter the estimated payment and where you can use the Scan EOB feature to scan or upload an EOB.

Just like you can with claims, once the EOB is attached to the preauth, you can view it from the preauth by clicking the View EOB button.

CareCredit Enhancements

There are some recent enhancements to the CareCredit integration in Open Dental.

Self-Service Payments

Your office can now easily send a link via text or email to existing CareCredit cardholders, so they can process the transaction themselves.

In the Account Module, use the Get CareCredit Self Service Link in the Payment dropdown to share the self-service link with your patient.

Note: The text or email is sent by Synchrony (CareCredit). It does not require Open Dental Integrated Texting, and does not consider the patient’s Text OK status. Your staff must read the included consent to the patient prior to sending a self-service link.

Automatic Merchant Fee Adjustments

Your office can now set up a Merchant Fee Adj Type in CareCredit Setup to enable automated adjustments for CareCredit payments.

Once an adjustment type is set, CareCredit payment amounts are reduced by the merchant fee amount, paysplits on the payment are reduced by their portion of the merchant fee, and an adjustment of the chosen type is created and associated with the procedures. 

Net Amounts Displayed in Transactions Window

You can now quickly see the Net Amount of CareCredit Transactions. This is the Gross Payment Amount minus any CareCredit surcharges.

Secure Email Enhancements

There were a few enhancements around Secure Email this version. Patients can now unsubscribe from Secure Emails if they wish not to receive this type of communication. Message-to-Pay and Web Sched Recall emails can now be sent via Secure Email or standard email.

XConnect Integration

For DentalXChange users, XConnect is now integrated with Open Dental for detailed claim validation. When enabled, claims are automatically validated when sent or saved. Any warnings are displayed in a new window.

Details on the error and how to resolve it are included. Rows are displayed in yellow if they need to be resolved and are changed to white once resolved.

Your office can contact DentalXChange to sign up and get an API key. This key is entered in Clearinghouse Setup in Open Dental.

Audit Trail Enhancements

If a Payment Plan down payment is changed or deleted this is now tracked and detailed in the Audit Trail. The PayPlanEdit permission will show log text of “Down Payment Changed”.

eForms Enhancements

We are continually improving our recent eForms feature. Some of the enhancements in this version include:

• New eForm field for Patient List allows patients to select and existing family member as the insurance subscriber
• New eForm field for Ins Pick allows easier entry and import of insurance plans
• eForms consider Sheets when calculating frequency
• Improved Patient Forms window interface

Miscellaneous Changes

• New security permission for Treatment Planned Procedure Edit Fee. This controls a user’s ability to change the fee on a treatment planned procedure.
• For Payment Plans, in the Select Production window, “Amount End” has been changed to “Amount Unpaid” for clarity.
• Updated interface for Edit Benefit window when setting up Other Benefits for insurance plans.
• New Wait Rm in Appointments Module opens the Waiting Room list in another window.

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We’re excited to share these new features with you! If you have any questions or want to learn more, reach out to Open Dental Support.